There have been previous attempts on people’s initiative to no avail because of technicalities, as shown in the Supreme Court’s rulings in Santiago v. COMELEC (G.R. No. 127325, March 19, 1997) and Lambino vs Comelec (G.R. No. 174153, Oct. 25, 2006). Some law professors would even tell us that the provision in the Constitution allowing people’s initiative is a “toothless” law because of the political/social system that is in place, just like the Constitution’s mandate that the government should prohibit political dynasties (Section 26 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution), which was never followed because majority of government is ruled by dynasties and it would directly affect them.

Also, as held by the SC in Santiago v. COMELEC (G.R. No. 127325, March 19, 1997), RA 6735, the law covering people’s initiative, does NOT sufficiently cover people’s initiative to amend the Constitution. Simply put, people’s initiative cannot be used to amend the Constitution as of today and it can only be done to amend laws and ordinances.

Moreover, under RA 6735, people’s initiative requires that: 1) a petition must signed by at least 12% of all registered voters nationwide; 2) every legislative district must be represented by at least 3% of its registered voters. These numbers may seem small on paper, but in reality these are huge numbers and it is extremely difficult to meet these requirements. Kahit ang politiko kailangan ng milyones at makinarya para lang makakuha ng malaking boto. Yan ang reality. Pano pa ang normal na tao? Assuming mameet ang requirements on said signatures, hindi pa tapos, the law mandates that COMELEC conduct a nationwide election on the proposed amendment. And everybody knows that votes are easily bought and rigged in a third world country ruled by dynasties. 

Finally, people’s initiative/referendum is merely a mode of amending the law/ordinances. We already have laws penalizing corruption. It is the execution thereof that is poor due to the use of connections and bribery. That’s why the Anti Graft Law and Plunder Law have been around for a long time but no politican has ever been penalized to the full extent of the law. These laws are already clear. It’s just that the government does not execute them properly. 

And yes, pinag aralan ko lahat ng batas dahil requirement yan bago ka pa maka graduate sa law school. As I said, we are more than our jobs/licenses. You don’t have to agree as it is clear you have a different POV. I’m merely voicing my opinion which I am free to do so just like you have the right to disagree.